So, then no time for anyone in the public to consider what the many applicants had to say and discuss what we heard among ourselves and then provide any input to the Board. Yep, I get it, seems par for this course.

It's part of an appointment process. You seem to be mad the the long established rules. They don't get changed case by case. Work to change the rules, don't just gripe when they don't suit your desires.

Perhaps I mis-heard at the prior meetings, but I believe we were told by the Board that the applicants would be interviewed on Tuesday then the decision would be made on Thursday, so the public would have a window of time to consider the applicants answers and provide some input of public opinion to the Board. If I misunderstood what was said at the prior meetings and this is the legally required way to appoint a new member, which prevents public input, then I have no objection. If so, this seems like a very strange way to proceed with such an important decision. I will try to find the point in the meeting video where this was discussed.

I have a feeling if everything isn't just exactly as some people wish, we'll all hear about how horrible this all is...which it really isn't.

"Provisional Appointments
When authorized by law to make a provisional appointment to fill a vacancy on the Board, the Board shall advertise in the local media to solicit candidate applications or nominations. A committee consisting of less than a quorum of the Board shall ensure that applicants are eligible for Board membership and announce the names of the eligible candidates. The Board shall interview the candidates at a public meeting, accept oral and/or written public input, and select the provisional appointee by a majority vote."

www.mvwsd.org/district-info/board-of-trustees/board-policies/9000-board-bylaws/304-9223-bb-filling-vacancies

How is the public expected to provide "written input" if the selection is made at the same meeting where the applicants are interviewed? Or even for people to have time to think so they can give a meaningful oral input about the applicants?

That implies to me that the interviews are at one public meeting, then the public has some time to consider and give written input to the Board, who then is supposed to read that input and then make their decision. Nothing says the whole thing is done at one meeting.

Perhaps when that law was written they expected people to carry computers and printers to the interview meeting?

Still watching the video to find the relevant remarks.

Glad we'll be getting fully staffed again. Time to get back to work and quit all the belly-aching.

It has been crickets since the names of the applicants were made public. The interview date was also announced at that time. Anybody has been free to submit commentary to the board for more than ten days. Anybody could have also attended the information sessions to get a feel for potential applicants. There are eleven published candidate bio's to read. Given that the board makes the decision, how much more data is required to make informed comments on the agenda item at the special meeting.

@More than enough, read my post above.

"The Board shall interview the candidates at a public meeting, accept oral and/or written public input, and select the provisional appointee by a majority vote."

They interview the candidates, they open the floor for (oral) public comment as the Brown Act requires for every agenda item, then they vote. Reread the quote above. There is an "or" so there is no requirement for written comments.

After all of the Boundary Meetings and this too, we literally chose to put our child into public school this year.

Sad how unprofessional Mountain View is being with such an important task - Educating the children of the most educated population in the world.

Excuse me....private school. We put our child into private school.

So the four board members, whose collective behavior is often described as dysfunctional, are going to choose the person who is going to straighten them out teach them how to get along? That's awkward.

There are some high quality people in this group who have experience in the district, common sense, interpersonal skills, and more that all 4 current trustees lack. The best possible solution would be to replace the current board altogether. At least I can dream. This is why we need term limits. Incumbents get re-elected based on name recognition alone, not because they are effective public servants. School trustees have run unopposed for years and now that a new opening is guaranteed, 11 people rise to the occasion. We need Term Limits at both MVWSD and MVLA.

Given our demographics, a Latino or Latina must be selected.

I agree about term limits for Board members.

Also - what's this about spending $50 - 65K for publicity? And spending $275K to figure out district culture, structures and policies? That's a lot of money for something the superintendent should be doing. Maybe it's needed in a big district, but we are not a big district.

Just because you are going to pay $20K per year, does not actually mean that your child will get a better education. You hope so...but no money back guarantee.

By the way, the teachers actually teach our kids - and they are doing a fantastic job even though the School Board has gone into a tail-spin.

@incognito -- I would submit that 75% of the problems that the board faces are the direct result of one trustee and their actions.

Once that person is sent packing, the atmosphere will improve. Will it be perfect bliss? No. But it will be an improvement.

first order of business shut down the PACT a waste of tax payers money.

Anyone watching the board meeting on utube can see this board is the most unprofessional bunch I've ever seen.

As a member of a couple of task forces with current projects in front of this Board I can say that I have a solid perspective on all of the Board Members. Unprofessional is not really a term I'd use to describe any of them. Sure, Mr. Nelson can get excited. Certainly, Mr. Coladonato likes to dive deep into subjects. But these folks are intelligent, well studied members of our community who are giving immense amounts of personal time to devote their intelligence, experience and leadership to our schools. You are certainly encouraged to disagree with their positions when appropriate. You are free to disagree with policy. But there is little need to disparage their character from the comfort of your desk, or your couch unless you're putting your time in this effort. I see all kinds of weekend and Monday morning quarterbacks here. I see very little attendance from the same group at our meetings, or at school PTA meetings, or at other functions designed to build our schools. I certainly don't see this community putting pressure on employers to get funding, innovations and other helpful ideas into the schools. All I see is complaining.

Sure, it's par for the course. No one is perfect. Not any single Board Member, and certainly not the members of the general public. But these people, whether you believe it or not, are giving this their best. They spend several nights per week at these meetings busting their butts for your kids, my kids and the future of this school district. They at least deserve some respect for they what they give. They certainly deserve our support for the job, even if we don't always agree.

So, let's please get off this constant whining, show up at meetings, get involved and help make our schools better together.

@cfrink
Your solid prospective, task focus, projects befor the board,meetings. Sometimes you parents with some much time on your hands can't see the Forrest for the trees. May parents in this district have issues with the schools and administrators. How about some academia for a change. Do you consider parents that don't attend your meeting, may just enjoy being home with there children.
I'm not on the my couch or at my desk. I'm hanging with my kids. Let's get back to basics.

@more of the same

I cherish every moment with my child. I am a single parent so I have less time than most. I have a job that requires lots of travel and extra hours. And I'm doing it. If you don't have time to be at meetings that's fine. Find other ways to contribute rathe than taking pot shots anonymously in the Voice. Get your name out there, do something. That's my point. You may already be heavily involved in a way that works best for your family. Heaven knows we all have our own struggles. But there are plenty of people not doing enough and probably more not doing anything. Let's all get on this together because it certainly effects all of us.

Jose Guitierrez, Jr. is our new trustee. Our board selected him tonight in a smooth process in a field of highly qualified applicants. Jose will be sworn in at our 1st board meeting of this school year this Thursday at 6 PM in our boardroom. Congratulations, Jose! And many thanks to all the other applicants.

Sorry for the misspelling of Jose's last name in my previous post. It's Gutierrez.